#arcanemeta

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Machine Herald Armor Theory

Though I know that the events that have unfolded and will unfold are no doubt going to lead to Viktor's glorious revolution and result in the Machine Herald we know today from League of Legends, I was still wondering how Viktor could evolve from a lithe man with purple 'organic machinery' for skin could become a huge, armored man strapped with weapons and then I considered that, given Singed is working with Ambessa now, she could provide the new Viktor with Noxian style armor and weapons. The steel and golds perhaps being in a similar vein to their soldiers' armor.

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Yes! I've been hoping that the next season will continue its trend of featuring character backstory prologues and show new, significant and relevant moments from the lives of the same characters (and new ones, of course).

We see how bad the Undercity is but I want too see it through Viktor's eyes and if he returns to Zaun in season 2, I think it'd offer a perfect scenario to parallel his past there and how things have changed and add new context and dimension to his character.

I like to headcanon that he lost both his parents to various issues in the Undercity. His mother perhaps to illness (maybe very much like the one he's dying from) and his father due to a work related accident that inspired him to want to improve the systmes they have in place. Both of his losses exemplify the tragedy of life in Zaun and contribute to him wanting to save others from suffering the same fate him and his family have.

Plus, I'd also just love to see younger or even teenage Viktor!

**bangs pots and pans together**

I am begging, begging for Season 2 to directly show us what led Viktor to become as dedicated as he is to making lives better. Give us a flashback or two. Show a teenaged Viktor witnessing mass death from a chem spill. Or show him dealing with something like his parents dying from a similar chemical related accident. Anything that would explore this relentless dedication more.

I need an inciting incident. I don't want to see my fave in pain, but narratively I feel it will be so much stronger and impactful if we see further context on Viktor's internal motivations. Just sayin'.

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Arcane Season 2 Speculation

(Spoiler Warning)

So, if this place becomes Viktor's new base of operations, then it definitely looks like the fight comes to his front door in Arc II based on the trailer.

We can see Ambessa and her forces in his camp, along with Jinx, who is fighting against them. This leads me to believe that she will learn about and hopefully meet Viktor soon, perhaps trying to use this place to hideout from those seeking her?

I think this event could also be what leads Piltover to discover what Viktor's up to and what's going on with the Arcane, which I believe will be the main conflict in Arc III.

This attack could also be what leads Viktor to become the Machine Herald once and for all. Right now, he's peaceful and only wants to help others, but if the Hexcore feels threatened perhaps, it could lead him to finally weaponize himself to fight back and protect what he's doing.

It's also possible that this shot of Jayce is him confronting Viktor here as the background looks similar. Can't wait to see how it all unfolds!

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This moment just breaks my heart. The way Viktor pulls Sky’s notes to his chest in such a delicate, reverential way, like he’s trying to keep her close, desperately clinging to this last piece of her, and then he looks down at his now magically altered hand and leg - a painful, permanent reminder of the life lost trying to save his own - and it’s too much for him to bear and he just breaks down, curling into himself and sobbing in almost a childlike way as he sits among the ashes of the woman who loved him...

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Viktor’s “Steel Oasis” Analysis

I’d like to address some of the visual and narrative significance of the “steel oasis” that Viktor returns to multiple times in the show. Ultimately, I think this location acts as an extension of Viktor's psyche - a solitary hideout where he goes to think with gears behind him turning like his mind - and I believe there are multiple visual details to support this. 

We see Viktor brooding in what I assume is some kind of water treatment facility in two scenes within the time span of a few days and, despite the same matte paintings being used beyond some alterations to the lighting, the one distinct difference is that the greenery is more decayed. I think the most obvious purpose for this is that it’s meant to reflect both Viktor's internal and external state - as his body and mind are decaying, so is the foliage. (I think it’s also possible that the way plants are being used in relation to Viktor throughout the show is purposeful, as he’s also been using them in his experiments in which they also rapidly wither and die). 

The second reason they added this detail could also be to reflect the overall decaying state of the Undercity that has withered under Silco’s reign. Though the Undercity was never presented as a haven of prosperity and beauty of course, there is a marked difference between the look and feel of what we see from its present state and what we see in Viktor’s childhood. Gone is the bright sun and verdant greens of his youth. The children are gone, it’s empty, quiet and somber.

Let’s talk about the lighting. As I’ve already stated, both scenes are painted almost identical even with the light cutting across the keyhole-like opening in the same place, dividing the image equally between dark and light. It’s interesting that, of the three openings in the wall that we see, he chooses to return to this one - the one in-between. Throughout the show, Viktor is often shown fully or partially hidden in shadow, and the lighting here could perhaps be used with the same intention of displaying the duality within him. 

Beyond the placement of the light, the color and mood of the lighting was also altered in the second scene. The color palette is cooler, enhancing its somber tone. Both scenes are rather melancholy, but there is still warmth to the first that the second lacks. Just like the plants, I believe this is also meant to reflect his worsening mental and emotional state. What little life there is here is dying, the light is dimming, and he’s stuck between it and the shadows. Life and death. Piltover and Zaun.

So why does Viktor go here? What does it mean to him? Overall, this location serves to show us the connection he still has to his home - a reminder of who he was and where he comes from. From that high ledge he can also see the damage the Undercity has endured. See the rot. So close and yet so far from actually be able to help it, I think the location is also meant to emphasize that desire in him. He chooses to go somewhere. Viktor spreading Sky’s ashes here also speaks to it being an important location to him and their shared past in the Undercity.

He may have been returning to this place for years (Jayce says he disappears sometimes, and this could be where he goes each time), but regardless of whether it’s a frequent stop or somewhere he hasn’t visited in a while, we’re probably seeing him return now specifically after receiving the news of his prognosis. Knowing that he’s now on the verge of death, I imagine he’d go there to reflect on his life and, as he admits to Heimerdinger, what little he believes he’s actually accomplished. To ponder all the things he hasn’t done and the legacy he doesn’t believe he’s secured. 

Now, it’s important to note that the water treatment facility that he's in wasn't present in his childhood and I’ve seen it suggested that Heimerdinger’s line and resulting wide shot of the building, implies that Viktor may have had a hand in building it:

Heimerdinger: “You should be proud of the things you’ve accomplished, Viktor.”

If that’s the case, then choosing to go there and literally sit within something he built says a lot. I don’t believe it would act as an ego booster for him of course, if anything it makes him feel worse about the things he hasn't done and thinks he never will.

Perhaps after becoming Jayce’s partner, he gained the relative power and ability to push for the creation of such facilities. It makes sense that he'd know the help this specific location and its people need and would want to restore a special place of his childhood. Still, it has nothing to do with Hextech and, as far as we know, their scientific endeavors to “improve lives” have only been centered around that. Also, as already stated, Viktor laments not being able to help people in the ways he wanted, and I think that would definitely classify as helping the Undercity to some degree even if it's not as much as he wanted. 

With that in mind, I’m not so sure that theory is true, but still, simply being in the presence of something that is helping people continues to show how important that is to him. 

Heimerdinger: "It's nice to know some things never change. Feels like just yesterday I stumbled upon an aspiring young scholar from the Undercity here, ruminating in his steel oasis."

It’s also important to note that Heimerdinger seems to imply that he found Viktor there and if he means that exact location and not just the Undercity in general, then the facility was built while Viktor was still living there which means he probably had no hand in building it, especially depending on how old he was when Heimerdinger found him. (This is pure speculation, but if he was old enough, he could have perhaps volunteered to help build blueprints or offer guidance in building it as he was not physically able to work in the mines and factories and this display of knowledge and desire to help others is what impressed Heimerdinger in the first place and another reason why he’s so adamant to help others because he’s already attempted that hands-on work?) But again, that ties back to the problem of him still feeling unaccomplished in his endeavors to help the Undercity and the most likely theory I believe is that he probably didn’t have a hand in creating it and he’s simply been going there since he was young.

Lastly, it’s been pointed out before that there's a cool potential easer egg in the design of the drains, which look eerily similar to the mask of the Machine Herald he will one day wear, which is another visual clue to tie him to this location. 

These are just some of my thoughts and speculation on this location and its significance. I’m hoping we see it more next season! Like the rest of the show, I think the subtle visual details of these moments are no accident. They could have kept the exact same background paintings for both scenes but they chose to repaint the plants and alter the lighting for a reason.

To read more of my thoughts and analysis of Viktor and Arcane, search the tag #ArcaneMeta on my blog!

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Viktor: Clothing Analysis & Visual Foreshadowing

Visually, season 1 Viktor couldn't be farther now from what he'll become, but there are some subtle, clever hints in his appearance and wardrobe that connect him to the imposing figure we see in Leage of Legends. 

Let's start with the only physical feature that's maintained in both present and future versions of the character: the tousled brown hair that acts as the only hint that he's still human underneath his metal body as it peeks out from behind his helmet. The choice of giving Viktor bright, golden colored eyes was also a detail no doubt added with the future glowing, molten yellow eyes of the Machine Herald in mind.

Season 1 Viktor also sports red accents in his clothing just like his future counterpart, most notably in his tie post-timeskip and his burgundy shirt from before, but we also see red in his wardrobe even in childhood. Similar to the wreath of red cloth around The Machine Herald's neck, young Viktor is also furnished with a large patch of burgundy fabric stitched around his collar. 

Beyond the sartorial, there are other hints to his future machine state. Even now, Viktor has metal on and in his body from his leg brace to the intricate metal plating on his back brace and even the metal screws in his spine. Just as the power of the hexcore melds the brace to his newly transformed leg, I imagine we'll see the rest of the metal on his body eventually fuse with him when he continues his augmentation. 

Though the leg brace is now gone, it’s reminiscent of brace-like bars on the Machine Herald’s opposite leg. Finally, his back brace has a strap over his left shoulder - the same place The Machine Herald's pauldron is fastened.

These are just some of my observations. If you noticed anything else, feel free to share!

To read more of my thoughts and analysis for Viktor and Arcane, search the tag #arcanemeta on my blog. 

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Viktor: Mage Foreshadowing

Though there was a lot of clever foreshadowing for Viktor’s future in season 1, I want to address the imagery of the mage specifically. Our first reveal of the mage is during Jayce’s trial where Heimerdinger warns of the potential destruction that magic can create. 

Heimerdinger: "I've seen this power in the wrong hands. It corrupts. It consumes. Lays waste to civilizations." 

There is no particular indication that this is linked to Viktor yet beyond him being present and clearly intrigued by Jayce’s speech in favor of pursuing magic.

During the presentation of the hexcore, Heimerdinger sees the imagery of the mage again, this time shown within a Void-like structure inside the hexcore. If you listen carefully, you can actually hear Viktor’s theme playing here as well, giving more evidence to prove that the figure he’s speaking of will be him. Heimerdinger reiterates his claims of its destructive power: 

Heimerdinger: “I’ve seen nations destroyed by a single seed and it looked exactly like this.” 

He then studies Viktor, confirming that it’s already starting to have an effect on him despite him not yet beginning the experiments on himself. 

Heimerdinger: “Viktor, something’s different, what did you do? It’s that thing. It must be destroyed!”

After the hexcore has already absorbed some of his blood, we get a scene where Viktor is sitting and watching it, transfixed, while laced within the same Void-like structures as shown before - a brilliant way of showing that his mind has already been entangled in its webs and referencing the previous image. 

As a side note, I think his crutch here and in other scenes of the show is meant to look reminiscent of a mage’s staff.

As Viktor begins to prepare himself for his first transmutation, we intercut to Jayce looking through a book that features a familiar image: a painting of the same powerful, glowing mage above the destruction of a city as shown in episode 2. It’s no coincidence that this was shown right as Viktor is about to take his first step to becoming that very being. 

Though it might just a coincidence, the rune Viktor is etching onto his leg brace is diamond shaped and very similar to the shape of the glow around the mage as well. The rune itself may have some special meaning that I’m not aware of so feel free to share if you do!

Though not the same image that we’ve seen thus far, we get another visual interpretation of a mage (with three arms) on a tarot card shown after Viktor receives his terminal diagnosis, cleverly foreshadowing his future transformation. Though I won’t go into detail about the meaning of the cards (I’m not very familiar with the subject and others have already discussed them at length) the death card could not only support the news of his diagnosis, but also potentially foreshadow the death he will bring, starting with Sky. 

Beyond physically seeing the mage in relation to him, we also get a few lines that foreshadow a darker fate for Viktor regarding magic. In episode 2, there’s a scene where Viktor and Heimerdinger discuss Jayce’s experiments and Heimerdinger says: 

Heimerdinger: “Magic is far too dangerous in the wrong hands.” 

(Which ties directly into Heimerdinger’s previous line: “I’ve seen this power in the wrong hands,” regarding mages). We then see Viktor promptly stealing Jayce’s notebook, more than likely foreshadowing that his are the wrong hands that Heimerdinger warns will bring danger and destruction.

Based on the lore from League of Legends and the foreshadowing in the show, Viktor is undoubtedly going to transform into the Machine Herald, but whether that’s the destructive, civilization ending threat Heimerdinger warns of or if the show will perhaps continue its trend of taking characters to unexpected places remains to be seen. Will Viktor surprise us, fight back against the corrupting influence of the hexcore and find a way to use it for good? Or will he be unable to escape his dark fate and repeat the history Heimerdinger so fears? 

To read more of my thoughts on Viktor and Arcane, search the tag #arcanemeta on my blog. 

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Some Thoughts on the Running Scene

There is so much that's perfect about the scene where Viktor runs for the first time - the callback to the boat in his childhood, how he’s moving backwards instead of forwards etc, but I want to talk specifically about how much it exemplifies Viktor as a character and how it affects the audience as well. 

Viktor’s never been an incredibly cautious person, we see him act recklessly multiple times in the show up to this point already. He’s always willing to run before he walks (pun intended). He could have taken things really slow here (and he does at first for a few moments) but within seconds he’s not only running, he’s sprinting. He’s pushing himself hard - pushing his body to its absolute limits and this would have hurt. He’s frail, he probably hasn’t slept in days, his lungs are damaged, his leg muscles have never endured this kind of activity before and who knows how the metal leg actually feels but he does it anyway. That's probably one of the reasons he's screaming here beyond just the sheer release of so many emotions, but nothing is ever going to hold him back, not even the limitations of his own body. 

He is always pushing himself in pursuit of his goals no matter the consequences to himself and now, with death looming, he is pushing himself even harder. He made his first breakthrough and he’s not going to slow down now that he knows he may finally have a chance... which, of course, leads him to continue the augmentation without properly preparing for it which has dire consequences. Again, he’s not the wariest person about experimentation, which leads him to take a step too far that he can't take back...

Like much of the show, this scene has an inherent duality to it. Simultaneously feeling triumphant and foreboding - a success and a defeat - and it gives the audience mixed feelings. The show has already built up the Hexcore to be a potentially dangerous and corrupting force so we know it's possible for things to go bad, especially considering all the risks Viktor is taking.

We're rooting for him and are not blind to the obvious beauty of this moment but are also painfully aware of how things could escalate negatively - and they do in the very next scene. I believe that paradoxical mix of emotions is a testament to this show's incredible writing and character work and a feeling we as the audience will continue to experience as we watch Viktor’s journey going forward...

To read more of my thoughts and analysis on Viktor and Arcane, search the tag #ArcaneMeta on my blog!

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Viktor Season 2 - Exile Speculation

I think it’s already the popular theory, but I just want to speculate on the potential for Viktor’s exile in season 2 and the circumstances surrounding it. Most of this is just wild theorizing, feel free to add your own predictions. 

We know how strict Piltover is and how negatively it views the arcane and the resentment they may show towards Viktor due to his actions would be in line with what Singed predicted: that they will despise him and, by using an illegal drug, fraternizing with the creator of it, accidentally killing someone and simply being a Zaunite in a time of growing tensions, there’s plenty of fuel to lead to his expulsion from Piltover. 

Viktor has already risked exile before by sneaking into Heimerdinger’s lab with Jayce. He got lucky then, but now his luck has run out and his bold actions are going to face real punishment. This trial could further emphasize this new downward trend for Viktor, whose recklessness is finally catching up to him and the consequences of which can no longer be avoided. 

This show loves its parallels, and a trial and threat of exile could directly tie back to when Jayce faced the same fate, only now the roles have been reversed. However, what if the parallels continue and Jayce takes the relative position his mother did for him in regard to Viktor? Someone desperately pleading to keep their loved one safe and save them from the full extent of their punishment? Maybe, to save Viktor, he says something that could be hurtful and, just like Jayce was wounded by his mother trying to protect him, Viktor could potentially be hurt too and it could further erode their relationship? 

As a Council member and his best friend, I believe Jayce would try and stand up for Viktor, at least initially, especially since he said he doesn't care about the Council’s opinions anymore. Viktor was the only person who believed in him and I believe Jayce would extend the same support and faith even if he has some misgivings about Viktor’s actions or feels hurt that his friend didn’t tell him about what he was doing. I’d like to think he’d understand Viktor’s desperation, besides, it’d be hypocritical to condemn him for such drastic actions and even the death of an innocent when he’s recently done the same. 

How could this all come out? Viktor could come clean and turn himself in as a way to try to atone for his crimes before he dies or perhaps his augmentations are revealed during the missile blast. The former may be less likely given everyone will be dealing with the fallout of the attack and his actions are an entirely different issue that could be overshadowed though. If most of the Council members die, I imagine they’ll need to be replaced and the newcomers could be even more harsh in their sentencing given they know even less about him than the previous members did. 

I believe Viktor’s reaction to all of this could be twofold: though his desperation to survive is understandable, his actions still led to the death of an innocent person and that’s something Viktor would never just want to be let off the hook for. At this low point and in acceptance of his impending death, he may not fight back - even if Jayce may want him to - and welcomes the punishment he's given without any rebuttal. 

That being said, being one of the creators of Hextech and for all the things he's achieved for Piltover, I imagine this sentencing would still sting regardless and would further drive a wedge between him these people if their deeper prejudices toward him are revealed. They may not (and perhaps never did) see him as an equal to Jayce and only as a Zaunite. He’s not the Golden Boy they know and trust, he’s from the Undercity, working in the shadows who may have more allegiance to his birth city than to them and, given his recent crimes, they may feel they have all the validation they need to question his character.

Wild speculation here, but with a threat of war looming, the Council could demand that Jayce and Viktor create hextech weapons for them perhaps and this could be Viktor’s penance: build the weapons and prove his loyalty to them or be exiled. He chooses the latter, perhaps using his augmentations to steal the Hexcore and break out to keep it from being used by them. 

No matter how it happens, I have no doubt he’ll be returning to the Undercity at some point where he'll get the chance to meet with Singed again, the one person he knows won't turn him away. Singed said he wanted to see the Hexcore and maybe Viktor will bring it to him to find a way to destroy it, remove his link to it somehow or finish the transformation. Singed has access to all the Shimmer he would need and would probably be his best chance of surviving after all.

In the Undercity once more, Viktor could also use this opportunity to try to help his people however he can like he always wanted, using his skills to start augmenting those in need, try to quell the burgeoning conflict or perhaps even helping Zaun succeed. Viktor has been shown to be a bit of a pacifist thus far though and as someone who doesn’t want to create weapons, I can’t really see him providing them for others to use or using them himself either. I’m going to assume he’ll try for peace for as long as possible but we’ll see. I’m very curious to see how this could all unfold! 

To read more of my thoughts on Viktor and Arcane, search the tag #ArcaneMeta on my blog!

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We don’t get to see much of them or know how long he was helping to look after her, but it’s clear that Viktor had a deep love for Rio and it’s heartbreaking to see how things ended. Based on what we see in his flashback, Viktor wasn’t finding companionship with other kids his age and I don’t think it’s far-fetched to say that Rio was probably Viktor’s best friend at the time. A friend that doesn’t judge him or treat him differently and is always there as a comforting and faithful companion that Viktor can look forward to spending time with and caring for. 

Viktor has always had a deep sense of compassion and desire to help others and that’s evident in his immediate offer of assistance upon hearing of her condition. Looking after Rio (and helping out with Singed) probably gave him a great sense of purpose and belonging...

...and then he sees her hooked up and suffering and the sight and betrayal from Singed is too much to bear so he leaves and never returns, forever scarred with the memory and pain of losing his only friend to such a horrific fate. It’s so tragic knowing Rio probably wasn’t the first and certainly not the last loved one he’s going to lose. I just want to see Viktor free Rio next season and heal her somehow and have his little lizard friend back...

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Thoughts on the Explosion and Survival Theories

I’m not going to go too deep into it because it’s worthy of its own post, but it goes without saying that choosing to end the season with another of Jinx’s hextech explosions to parallel her previous one was brilliant on so many levels, not only to showcase the evolution of her character (the first one was a major catalyst for Powder becoming Jinx and now the repeated act solidifies this identity) but for the story as well. The first time was a big turning point at the end of Act 1, ushering in major change for the characters and a new trajectory for the plot and this explosion will no doubt do the same, launching the story and the characters into a new direction. 

The paralleled event also plays on the audience's memory of what came before. We don’t have to assume that this rocket will be devastating, we’ve already seen what this kind of power can do and we know that it will be on an even larger scale now and this adds another layer of dread to an already shocking turn of events. We know how ferocious that magic-induced fire can be. How it rages and races and incinerates flesh. We already know everyone in that council chamber is going to die instantly without some kind of magical intervention. 

We know Viktor and Mel both potentially have built-in magical reasons for survival e.g. Viktor’s connection to the Hexcore and Mel’s tattoos/armor, but what about Jayce? 

I feel like the hammer could maybe have been used to protect him (we see the gauntlets shield Vi in her fight with Sevika) but he didn't have it with him in the council chamber and I don't think he'd even consider grabbing it not knowing that it can shield him anyway, so I assume either Mel or Viktor will have to protect him, but which one and how?

Though Viktor would know his little body wouldn’t be enough to truly shield Jayce nor would he be able to move in front of him fast enough, I do believe he would sacrifice himself in a heartbeat to try to save him if he could, especially knowing he’s dying anyway. That being said, it’s just as likely that Jayce would try and do the same for Viktor and is the more likely candidate to be able to run to Viktor and tackle him to the ground to try and shield him. The act would still be futile but, in each other’s arms, Viktor’s magic could activate and, in protecting him, save Jayce as well. 

If this doesn’t happen however and Jayce instead runs to Mel or doesn’t get the chance to make any decision at all, Viktor’s magic could still involuntarily shield him and he’ll come out mostly unscathed (which will out him) or the magic won’t help him and he could get seriously hurt (which could jumpstart more augmentation).

We don't know what kind of power Mel has yet but emphasizing her and her armor was no accident and she could very well be the key to saving everyone in that room. If she’s somehow able to hold the rocket at bay while everyone tries to escape (an action that could be extremely taxing and she perhaps can’t hold for very long) she lets it go when everyone is a safe distance away, sacrificing herself to save everyone else (though I do genuinely believe most of the council members will die or at least be seriously injured so I’d hate to see Mel sacrifice herself just for it to be in vain).

Or, if Mel is somehow able to protect one other person besides or instead of herself, she chooses Jayce. Not only because she loves him but because she believes in him as their best choice of leadership for Piltover. This sacrifice to save him would deepen the pain he would already feel from losing her and it could inspire him to continue being on the council to honor her memory despite his previous wishes to leave so he can continue to be in a position to be able to do the things he thinks she would have wanted. 

Again though, I genuinely don't want Mel to die by the way and I'm not saying she's absolutely going to. I'm still 50/50 on her survival as I can see the storytelling potential in both options honestly, but these are just wild theories and, as of now, I still have hope she’ll live. 

As a sidenote, I’m also curious as to the potential radius of this explosion and how many more innocents could potentially be at risk beyond the council. The rocket was aimed at the council chamber, but could the fallout be larger than expected? Could the explosion seriously destabilize that building and cave in other nearby rooms or potentially have debris fall to the streets and harm others perhaps? 

Anyway, those are just some scattered thoughts. I know there's already been a lot of conversation on who will survive and how, but it’s all very interesting to speculate on. 

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Episode 7: Viktor & Jayce Foreshadowing

Episode 7 features two pivotal scenes between Jayce and Viktor that speak volumes about their characters individually, the current state of their relationship and foreshadows how it could change in the future.

It’s no accident that their first argument takes place on the bridge - the location most symbolic of the divide between Zaun and Piltover - to foreshadow their future division over that very issue. Jayce is upset that Viktor went into the Undercity and I think his anger here comes from multiple places: frustration that his authority was publicly undermined by Viktor’s actions (”Do you have any idea how this looks? I order a blockade and my own partner violates it.”), his growing prejudice towards the Undercity as he claims they’re “dangerous” and “hellbent on destroying [Piltover]”, the general toll this position is taking on him (”I’ve had a lot on my plate”) and is also likely coming from genuine concern for Viktor’s safety. Upset by the exchange as well, Viktor reminds Jayce that he is also from the Undercity, slapping away his friend’s outstretched hand and quick apology. 

This moment is unprecedented in the relationship we’ve seen between them thus far, though we do see Viktor accept his touch moments later, even remaining in place until Jayce touches him. Despite their differences and disagreements, they're still close friends and, though the exchange may have eroded a little trust on Viktor’s end, their relationship is still very much intact. The thread is just beginning to fray but is not yet broken.

At the end of the scene, as Jayce is escorting Viktor back into Piltover, a molotov ignites on the ground behind them. For a moment, the fire looks like it's literally exploding between them and I think this imagery is significant. If this raging fire is symbolic of the conflict between the cities, it’s literally the thing blowing up between and cutting off Jayce and Viktor from each other. I think this is even further exemplified by Jayce removing his hand from Viktor’s back as this happens.

The scene could have ended with the previous shot of them walking away, but they chose to continue to highlight the escalating conflict and Jayce’s reaction to it as we get a closeup of his pensive expression looking at the outraged Zaunites. I think this moment is very significant and could have multiple interpretations. Either the look is one of unresolved anger towards the Undercity despite his apology to Viktor and could foreshadow these unresolved feelings being exacerbated next season or, it’s meant to simply display his continued frustrations towards the situation and internal struggle with how to proceed. 

Viktor and Jayce's argument later in the episode regarding the possibility of creating weapons to use against the Undercity further highlights their opposing views on the issue and their continued divergence from their original Hextech dream. Viktor reminds Jayce that Hextech is meant to “improve lives, not take them” and that “there is always a choice” on which path to take. 

Similar to the molotov from the previous scene, a grenade is used to great effect here, potentially symbolizing the current state of their relationship - a bomb just waiting to go off and burn through their bond if they choose to let it. 

Jayce leaves and things are left unresolved between them. This time, the scene ends focusing on Viktor’s expression watching him leave, contemplating Jayce’s position and the personal choices he must now make... and not include his friend in. No longer trusting Jayce with what he plans to do, secrets are beginning to compile between them, which will no doubt only contribute further to the growing distance between them.

I believe the discourse featured in these scenes is going to be at the heart of their future issues. We’ve seen the tension and division these topics can create between them but, thus far, their friendship has still proven strong enough to surmount it. Unfortunately, as the external conflict worsens and they grow farther apart, their friendship isn’t going to be enough anymore, and their future disagreements probably won’t be so easily forgotten or forgiven. The next time Jayce extends an olive branch, Viktor may not be so quick to accept his hand, if at all and perhaps Jayce may not feel as inclined to offer it in the first place. 

I’m simultaneously dreading and looking forward to seeing how their eventual fallout unfolds. This show can be gut-wrenching and I’m sure the angst between them will provide a whole new level of drama to an already tragic story. 

To read more of my thoughts and analysis on Arcane, search the tag #ArcaneMeta on my blog!

[fire-of-the-sun]

Maybe I'm overthinking this, but upon watching Viktor's running scene for the millionth time, I was taking note of the beautiful background - specifically the detail of the twinkling stars - and it reminded me of the galaxy we zoom into at the end of the 'Jayce/Mel hookup/Viktor bonding with the hexcore' montage and I wonder if this was part of the reason they chose this location (according to one of the writers, Viktor was originally going to run up a winding staircase at the Academy). Not only do the boats have obvious meaning in regard to his past, but the presence of the purplish, starry sky could also be symbolic of his connection to the hexcore and potentially, the Void - literally something looming over him that he won’t be able to run away from...

[fire-of-the-sun]

I keep thinking about how Sky was probably the one to find Viktor collapsed in his lab and how terrified and worried she must have been as she helped get him to the hospital and how she was probably the one who notified Jayce about it and how devastated she must have been to hear the news that the man she admires so much and secretly loves is dying...

[fire-of-the-sun]

Viktor Season 2 Theories: Motivations for Transformation

So, I've been thinking about what needs to happen to make Viktor finish his transformation next season when he no longer has the desire to... which is completely in-line with his character. For a person whose main goal in life is to help others, accidentally killing someone (especially one of the few people in the world who genuinely cared about and looked up to him) would be absolutely devastating - the exact opposite of everything he’s trying to achieve. He went too far and, in realizing this, rightfully decides that the Hexcore needs to be destroyed even if it means dooming himself. He’s never been a cautious man when it came to his work or the risks to his own person, but he won’t extend the same recklessness to others. It’s not worth making progress if people are harmed in the process, as Heimerdinger once said. 

After the missile though (I’ll discuss how I think he’ll survive it in another post), war between Zaun and Piltover is inevitable. As a person who has a foot in both worlds and who has only ever genuinely wanted to help everyone no matter where they come from, this could result in a huge internal struggle for him. However, if all chances for peace fall through and it came down to a choice, I think he'd definitely choose Zaun over Piltover. Things could be made even worse if Piltover decides to go forward with making hextech weapons, perhaps even using the Hexcore to do so. Viktor can’t let that happen and may steal it to keep it from being weaponized, knowing better than anyone the dangers of it.

This situation could be what brings Viktor to decide his fate once and for all. Before the missile, he perhaps thought he could at least die content knowing that peace with Zaun was possible and that Jayce would maintain that and continue their hextech dream without him. If the deal changes and if Jayce changes his mind too, Viktor may feel he has no choice but to turn against his friend and Piltover as a whole to do what he thinks is right.

Viktor may determine that the only way he can help people is by keeping himself alive to protect Zaun and perhaps stop the war. This imbues him with new purpose. He’ll always be devastated by accidentally killing Sky and never forgive himself for it, but he may also come to believe that ‘quitting’ and dying when his people are in danger is basically giving up on them and forfeiting a chance to make real change like he’s always wanted. What Viktor uncovers from Sky's notes could also inspire him to continue as well if he believes it's what she wanted. That by pursuing the gift she gave him, he is also honoring her memory.

It may be misguided and partially influenced by the corrupt Hexcore itself (it’s shown to have some control over him and could very well slowly begin to change him into someone unrecognizable), but it still ultimately aligns with his character goal and that's the only way at this point that I can see it happening. 

As Sky says: “Everyone’s gotta play their part [in making the world a better place], right?” This is his part to play. His way of truly helping others, honoring her memory and living up to her belief in him. Even if he is killed in the process, at least he’ll believe he went out trying to make a difference once and for all and securing his legacy by becoming a solider for Zaun... which, in turn, will put him at odds with Jayce, the hero of Piltover and solidify his transformation into the Machine Herald.

I want to point out though that I think all of this will take some time. I don't even know if we'd see a fully-fledged Machine Herald by the end of season 2 honestly, it could easily take longer and I'm okay with that. I'd be very surprised and even disappointed if Viktor starts changing too soon. I doubt that'll happen though because the writing on this show has been excellent so far and I think they've done a great job with his character and will continue to do so. Also, I'm not familiar with League of Legends so the specifics of his actual lore didn't influence much of this post, my thoughts are based mostly on what information and foreshadowing the show alone provides. 

To read more of my thoughts and analysis of Viktor and Arcane, search the tag #arcanemeta on my blog!

[fire-of-the-sun]

On a few occassions in the show, I noticed the repeated imagery of a white butterfly with gold spots on its wings. Though there may be more occurrences that I didn't notice, it happened enough that I'm not sure it's coincidence and could have purposefully been used as some kind of symbolism (this show is full of it so I wouldn't be surprised). It may not be a coincidence either that they were also only shown in scenes with Jayce and, more specifically, Viktor.

The first time we see one it's in the flashback with young Jayce waking up in a field of flowers after being transported by the magician.

We also see one in the flashback with young Viktor following his toy boat.

The most notable moment though is when one appears while Viktor is speaking to Heimerdinger about death and legacy. They watch as a butterfly lights down and, soon after, flutters away. A beautiful, fragile and fleeting thing perhaps meant to represent those elements of life itself. Butterflies are also symbolic of transformation, which could also be why they're most often linked to Viktor.

I'm probably just overthinking its significance, but I thought I'd share.